Washington County Vaccination Update: January 20, 2021

Over the past week, more than 7,000 interest forms were submitted to Meritus Health from senior community members to receive their COVID-19 vaccine. Meritus has started reaching out to those on the list to schedule available appointments. As the vaccine supply remains very limited, so do available appointments. For those who have filled out the form, it may take several weeks to receive a call from Meritus to schedule your appointment. We are asking all to please be patient as we work through the phases to schedule the priority groups as quickly and safely as possible.

 

These numbers will continue to grow as the State allows for people age 65 and older, public health and safety workers not covered in Phase 1A, and essential workers in lab services, food and agriculture production, manufacturing, the U.S. Postal Service, public transit, and grocery stores to begin registering on January 25th.

 

We ask for your patience as it may take months to get through these priority groups. There are plans to increase options for vaccines in pharmacies and health care provider options, which over time will give people more choices.

 

Beginning January 25th, the following Martin’s locations will provide vaccinations to those who are eligible.

 

 

More information for appointments at these two locations will be provided as it becomes available. Please continue to check https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/maryland-retail-vaccination-sites for updates on these two vaccination locations.

 

While you wait, we hope you will take the time to review the information below.

 

Second Dose Process

While vaccine supply continues to remain very limited, we expect to receive enough doses each week to provide second doses to people who have already received their first dose. Meritus is administering both the Pfizer vaccines they have received and the Moderna vaccines the Health Department has been given. It is recommended that those who receive the Pfizer vaccine receive their second dose within at least 21 days after the first dose. For those who receive the Moderna vaccine, it is recommended the second dose is given at least 28 days after the first dose.

 

Other vaccine products may be used in the future, so it is important that you refer to your “CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card” when making a second dose appointment to match the manufacturer of your first dose. At this time, second dose appointments are being scheduled when you receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Waiting for First Dose Appointments

If you have registered to get vaccinated and already have an appointment scheduled to receive your first dose, please keep your appointment. There is adequate vaccine supply for appointments that have already been scheduled.

 

If you have already registered to get vaccinated but have not received an appointment, please note the following:

 

If you have questions, here are some options:

 

*Please note that ALL vaccinations are by appointment only. Walk-ins are not accepted at this time.*

 

**Vaccinations can only be administered by the rate at which they are received from the state and the federal government. 

PLEASE BE PATIENT as the County and Meritus Health work to vaccinate individuals that fall within Phase 1A and Phase 1B over the next few weeks.**

 

PHASE 1B: Currently On-going

 

 

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES & OTHER CONGREGATE FACILITIES

The vaccination of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and congregate living facilities are being coordinated by pharmacies through a federal contract. However, in an effort to assist in vaccinating these vulnerable populations sooner, the Washington County Health Department is working to vaccinate certain local congregate living facilities. Facilities will be contacted by the health department on how staff and residents can schedule their appointments.

 

ADULTS 75 AND OLDER

Those who are 75 years and older can schedule an appointment with Meritus Health. Information to register for an appointment can be found below.

 

NOTE: Appointments are only made available when additional supplies of vaccine come from the state.

 

 

EDUCATION & CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT

The health department and Meritus Health are working together to plan for the vaccination of WCPS employees, government employees, and staff at non-public schools. Information regarding vaccination appointments and additional details will come from the employer for this grouping.

 

As the health department receives more allocations of the vaccine, clinics will be expanded to the other groups identified in phase 1B such as daycare providers, high-risk inmates, and developmentally disabled populations.

 

Once the health department has scheduled the priority groups listed above, more information on registering to be vaccinated will be announced. All updates will be located on the County’s website at https://www.washco-md.net/coronavirus-info/vaccine. The public can also stay updated from the state by signing up for 211 alerts by texting “MdReady” to 898-211.

 

PHASE 1C: Begins January 25, 2021

 

 

PILOT PROGRAM WITH GIANT AND WALMART PHARMACIES

The State of Maryland is launching a pilot program for COVID-19 vaccines to be administered at Giant and Walmart pharmacies beginning the week of January 25. This initial program will be available at 22 Giant locations across the state, three Martin’s locations in Allegany and Washington counties, as well as 10 Walmart locations in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore. As the federal allocation of vaccines increases, the state will bring more pharmacies and more locations online. Specifics on clinic locations will be released in the near future. Stay updated on this program at https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/maryland-retail-vaccination-sites.